A network of rapid charging points for electric vehicles has been rolled out across London by Mayor Sadiq Khan. It includes 51 points for use by taxis and is part of a bid to improve the capital’s air quality, by helping phase out the use of diesel and encouraging the use of zero-emission vehicles.
As of this year no more diesel taxis are being licensed, and all taxis that are licensed for the first time need to be zero-emission capable. This has prompted a necessary infrastructure upgrade and Transport for London (TfL) is investing £18m into developing potential sites for charging and upgrading electricity grids.
Over the past six months it has worked with suppliers on the installation of 100 rapid charge points across the capital where a vehicle can be charged in 20 to 30 minutes, compared to the seven or eight hours it takes at regular charging points.
They offer 24/7 support and online information on locations and availability, the network allows drivers to use all points regardless of the supplier and pay by credit or debit card, with no requirement to sign up to a membership scheme.
Cleaning up London’s toxic air requires a shift to cleaner, greener, electric vehicles which has prompted the government to encourage taxi drivers to switch to low-emission vehicles.
Taxis are a significant contributor to poor air quality in the capital and are responsible for 16 per cent of NOx and 31 per cent of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) road transport emissions in central London.